BARNET’S 226,000 electors are encouraged to make their voices heard and vote in June's European election.

A helpline will be launched on May 5 by Barnet Council offering residents election advice, including how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, where to find your polling station and how to ensure you are on the electoral register.

This year's European Parliament election is the largest trans-national election in history, with 27 member states and nearly 500 million citizens represented.

The Parliament has the power to pass legislation and distribute budgets, with nearly 80 per cent of laws passed in the UK over the past five years beginning life in Europe.

Seventy-two Members of European Parliament (MEPs) are elected to represent the UK, which is broken into 12 regions. Eight of them will represent the London region, which includes Barnet.

Barnet councillor Marina Yannakoudakis is one of eight Conservative candidates for the capital.

Barnet's cabinet member for policy and performance, Councillor Richard Cornelius, said: "This is the opportunity for residents to choose representatives who will scrutinise decisions made in Brussels that affect Barnet."

As with all elections, voters must be 18 or over on June 4, 2009, and be on the electoral register.

Residents have until May 19 to register and 5pm the same day to apply for a postal vote.

For more information on the elections visit barnet.gov.uk/elections, call 020 8359 4111 or email elections@barnet.gov.uk